Pests & Pathogens

Goldspotted oak borer, a new threat to California forests

03.01.2010

The goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus coxalis Waterhouse (Coleoptera:Buprestidae), is adding to the woes of California’s magnificent oak forests.  While sudden oak death is killing oak and other trees in the northern part of the state, the oak forests of the southern part of the state have escaped damage due to the dry conditions that prevent [...]

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Lodgepole pines are disappearing from the west – Video

12.04.2008

The New York Times has an outstanding video, “America’s Disappearing Forests”  documenting the devastating impact of the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) on lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) in the Rocky Mountain states.  The insect has destroyed about 2 million acres of lodgepole pine forests. Since lodgepole pine typically occurs in pure stands (coming in after [...]

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Friday Photography

11.28.2008

Hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, on eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis. Near Asheville NC. Picture by Tom Kimmerer

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Five major threats to eastern North American forests

11.26.2008

The Big Five: emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, Sirex wood wasp, sudden oak death, hemlock woolly adelgid Forests in eastern North America are beset with a number of exotic pests and pathogens. Several of these pests and pathogens collectively could have a larger impact on eastern forests than chestnut blight, which killed billions of [...]

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An endophytic tree fungus produces biodiesel

11.04.2008

Trees are host to a bewildering array of fungi. Fungi that live inside the tree’s body (rather than on the surface) are known as endophytes. Endophytic fungi produce a lot of interesting chemical compounds, including antibiotics and hydrocarbons. Gary Strobel and his research group at Montana State University have found a fungal endophyte in a [...]

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Sudden oak death threatens ancient trees in England

11.03.2008

Gardeners at a historic estate in Derbyshire, England, have discovered the disease sudden oak death on rhododendrons, and fear that it could spread to ancient trees on the estate. Sudden oak death has been found at over 500 sites in England. English oak (Quercus robur) does not appear to be harmed by the disease. However, [...]

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Emerald ash borer found in tree from nursery – Wisconsin

10.22.2008

The first emerald ash borer (EAB) in a tree coming from a nursery has been found in Kenosha County in southern Wisconsin. The ash tree, from a nursery in Lake County Illinois, was planted near Silver Lake, WI.  Emerald ash borer infests and kills all North American ash trees (Fraxinus). Interstate transport of nursery trees [...]

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